Province of Avellino

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**Province of Avellino**


Nation	Italy
Region	Campania
Capital	Avellino
Area	2,792 km²
Population (2010)	429,073
Density	154
Comuni	119
Vehicle Registration	AV
Postal Code	83010-83018, 83020-83032, 83034-83054, 83056-83059
Telephone Prefix	081, 082, 0824, 0825, 0827, 0835
ISTAT	064
President	Alberta De Simone

Map highlighting the location of the province of Avellino in Italy

The Province of Avellino (Italian: Provincia di Avellino) is a province in the Campania region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Avellino.

The main tourist destinations are the Sanctuaries of Montevergine (over 300,000 visitors per year) and of San Gerardo a Maiella, the archeological areas of Avella and Eclano, the Lancellotti castle, the early Christian Basilica in Prata.

For those wanting to explore villages and towns in Avellino, Calitri is a unique place. The area around Calitri is sprinkled with castles, aristocratic palazzos and delightful locations soaked in history and tradition, ridged with hills and valleys and marked by the ancient trails along which Hannibal and his legions marched when setting off to attack ancient Rome 2,000 years ago.

The locals in Calitri have witnessed many wars and invasions in centuries gone by. There are many visible signs of the presence of the Romans, the Longobards, the Aragoneses and the Bourbons. Medieval historical centres and old castles are a must for the discerning visitor, who can also look to the visit for tranquillity, hospitality and a high quality of life. The origins of Calitri are lost in the mists of time, and the town and its surroundings are dotted with archeological remains Calitri countrysidedating back from ancient Rome. With the passing of the centuries the area became an important route of communication and transport connecting the Tyrrhenian to the Adriatic coast. It fell under the reign of Fedric II of Svevia during the 12th century and was subjected to Spanish dominion, and later became difficult to visit when many locals became makeshift highway men in a bid to combat Napoleonic dominion in the 800s. This turned the region into an isolated, insecure and poor area, which in turn encouraged workers and families in the early 1900s to emigrate to the richer north of Italy as well as North and South America in search of a better future, abandoning many villages and towns. The local economy also suffered from an earthquake in the 1980s similar to one in that took place in the region of Umbria in 1997.

It has an area of 2,792 sq km, and a total population of 429,178 (2001). There are 119 comuni (singluar: comune) in the province[1], see Comuni of the Province of Avellino.

In the ancient Kingdom of Naples the province roughly corresponded to the Principato Ultra, though some places were included in Capitanata or Principato Citra. It is an inner province, unconnected to the sea. The ancient name of the area was "Hirpinia" (AKA Irpinia), derived from the Oscan "hirpus", wolf, an animal that is still present in the territory though in greatly reduced numbers. The province has a great environmental interest and is included in the Regional Parks Monti Picentini and Partenio, and comprises two WWF oases, Valle della Caccia in Senerchia and the area around the Ofanto dam in Conza della Campania.

Typical products are hazelnuts (one third of the whole Italian production), the chestnut of Montella, the renowned wines Aglianico, Taurasi, Greco and Fiano, cherries, cheeses (as the caciocavallo of Montella), the black truffle of Bagnoli Irpino.

Avellino was known for its royal guards during the medieval and Roman times.